Direction-indicating signal



Sept. 25, 1928. 1,685,330

J. M. MARONEY DIRECTION INDICATING SIGNAL Filed May 14, 1928 IN VENTOR 4 Jamv Mu: mA/MARQMEY W a A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 25, 1928.

was amon- M'AaoNEY, F OAKLAND, c ALIsoR-Nm DIRECTION-INDICATING SIGNAL. j

Application filed May 14, 1328. Serial No. 277,647.

My invention relates to improvements in direction indicating signals, and 1t consists in the combinations. constructions and arrangements hereinafter described. and .5 claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a direction indicating signal which primariiy consists of a casing having an opening and a tubular expansible and contractible me1uber projected out of the casing when air is applied thereto and drawn back into the easing when air is withdrawn therefrom. The invention contemplates putting at least two of the signals upon the car, these preferably being disposed at the rear. A valve positioned near the driver controls the flow of air into and out of the signals.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described which is extremely simple in construction and in which the tubular member is reinforced by spaced rings. 7

Other objects and advantages will appear in the' following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a schematic showing of the two signals operatively connected to the actuating mechanism;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the signal;

Figures 3 and 4 are views of a novel valve used in conjunction with the signal and Figure 5 shows the collapsible tubular member used in a toy pipe.

In carrying out my invention I provide a casing 1 having an open end 2 and a closed end 3; and a pipe 4 communicating with the interior of the casing. In the casing Idispose a collapsible tubular memberindicated generally at 5. The wall of this member may material. It may be transparent in case a light is disposed on the inside for illumination, or it may be opaque and the outer surface thereof colored for flashing a signal when the member is elongated.

The tube 6 is secured to a disc 7 disposed on the inside of the casing and connected a disc 8 that moves out from thereto, and to the casing into the dotted line position 5 shown in F igureQ- when the tube is extended.

Reinforcing rings 9 are disposed along the mounted within the 'tomobile engine 18.

be made of rubber or other suitable flexible ner; the handle inside ot' the tube at spaced intervals, and i these rings prevent the collapsing of the tube in any direction except that along its longitudinal axis. It will be seen that when air is drawn frbm the tube, the tube will be collapsed and be moved into the full line position shown in Figure 2.

I have shown in Figure 1 two signals indicated by A and B. Both are identical and are constructed as already set forth. The signal A indicates a left turn, while B indicates av right turn. Air conduits4 and 10 lead from the signals to a valve casing indicated at 11 -(see Figure 4).

casin ways 13 and 14 therein oi The valve casing is preferably dis osed near the steering wheel of the automo ile where the handle 15 of the valve may be readily manipulated. A pipe 16 leads from the valve casing 11 to the intake manifold 17 ofthe auand'has passagethe shape shown.

the casing to a pumped into this tank by a pump 21 and this air is kept at a predetermined pressure.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. 1

When the handle 15 is in neutral position,

munication with the suction pipe 16. The englne 18, When running continually, sucks air throughthe pipe 16 and therefore places a partial vacuum upon the signals A and B and keeps the extensible members 5 contracted.

If the driver intends to turn to the left, he merely swings the handle 15 into the full line position shown in Figures 1 and 3. This places the pipe 4 in communication with the pipe 19, while the pipe 10 is still in communication with the pipe 16. Air will flow from the reservoir through the and into the signal A extendin the member 5 as shown. The signal will be rigidly, held in extended position as long as desires.

When the driver wishes to return the signal, he merely swings the handle 15 back into neutral position, and this cuts off the pipe 4 from the pipe 19 and againplaces it in communication with the pipe 16. The right hand signal B can be actuated in the same man- A valve 12 is 15 in this instance bein the operator 'so swung to the right, which places the pipes 16 and 19 in communication and the pipes 4L and 16 in communication.

In Figure -1 show a casing 25 shaped into the bowl of a pipe. A pipe stem 26 communicates with the bowl and has a passageway 27 that'leads to the interior of a collapsible" member 28 which is similar to the member 5.

A blowing upon the pipe stem 26 will elongatethe member 28, and a drawing of the air back through the pipe will collapse the member. The member 28 may be colored bright so as to attract attention, and may be made of I a material to Withstand severe use.

mitting air to said member and for with- 1 drawing air from saidmember, and reinforcing rings disposed at intervals along said member.

2. An antomobile signal comprising a pair of casings, collapsible and extensible members mounted in said casings, an air reservoir, means for pumping air into said reservoir, a valve forplaeing saidmembers in communication with said reservoir, a pipe leading from said .valve to the intake manifold of the engine, said valve being adapted to place said pipe in comu'iunication with said members for retracting them, each member being reinforced by spa'cedapart rings.

3. A casing having an open end and a closed end, a flexible member circular in cross section normally disposed in said casing, means {oiadmitting air into said member and for exhausting air therefrom, spacedapart rings disposed in said member, the portions of said member disposed between said rings being foldable for permitting said member-to be withdrawn into said casing.

JOHN nmronnanonnr. 

